Perspectives of Taiwanese pastoral counselors on the use of scripture and prayer in the counseling process.

Interviews were carried out with 10 Christian pastoral counselors to explore their perspectives on the use of Scripture and prayer in the counseling process. Grounded Theory was utilized. Five main categories including a theological framework of pastoral counseling, counselors' considerations of using Scripture and prayer, preparation for Christian spiritual intervention, implications of spiritual resources, and ethical issues in the pastoral counseling process were generated. The results suggest the theological framework of pastoral counseling is crucial to the use of Scripture and prayer, and the issue of a neutral response should first be clarified for clients. Basic guidelines for ethically using Scripture and prayer for working with Christian clients are proposed for further pastoral counselor training, practice, and research.

Effectiveness of an enhancement program on Taiwanese university students' self-concept'.

This study examined the effectiveness of a Self-Concept Enhancement Program (SCEP) on Taiwanese university students. Participants were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 30) and a waiting-list control group (n = 30). The experimental group received SCEP psycho-educational treatment for 8 weeks, whereas the control group did not. Results indicated significant improvements on physical, personal, self-identity, and total self-concept in the experimental group, but not in the control group. Participants evaluated the SCEP as useful, beneficial, and powerful in promoting their self-concept. Cultural issues were highlighted and discussed. Implications for research and counseling practice are suggested.

Taiwanese members' report of verbal interactions and their relations to demographic variables in the group counseling process.

The purpose was to examine differences in verbal interactions during the group counseling process and the relationship between perceived verbal interactions and members' demographic variables. 42 participants were recruited and randomly assigned to one of four counseling groups. Based on the Hill Interaction Matrix, Quadrant 4 verbal interactions, consisting of Speculative and Confrontative verbal behaviors in Personal and Relationship levels, were perceived significantly more often at the closing stage than at the initial stage. Furthermore, the perceived verbal interactions were related to the demographic variables of sex, educational level, and group experience, but not acquaintanceship. The findings suggested that the higher ratings of perceived Speculative and Confrontative verbal behaviors and the lower ratings of Assertive and Silence verbal interactions must be interpreted cautiously from a cross-cultural perspective, especially in Asian cultures.